City of Soul
Studio:
Warren and Mahoney
Year:
2023
Services:
Creative strategy
Design direction
Publication design
Art direction
Workshop strategy
Print production
Warren and Mahoney
Year:
2023
Services:
Creative strategy
Design direction
Publication design
Art direction
Workshop strategy
Print production
According to Auckland Council, the population growth for
Auckland is likely to increase by another 720,000 people over the next 30
years, pushing the region’s population to 2.4 million. The significance of this
projected growth underscores the need to foster progressive ideas and ensure
that Auckland is well-equipped to position itself as Aotearoa New Zealand's
leading metropolis.
In 2022, we organised a workshop that brought together 15
influential leaders from various industries. Our objective was to collectively
generate innovative ideas and concepts aimed at revitalising and advancing the
city of Auckland. This would be published as a provocation to the public,
designers, government and developers and other industry partners.
Click here to read the publication online
A showcase of collective effort, the resulting publication emphasises true collaboration and partnership. The summary of this workshop is intentionally not framed as fully formed ideas or solutions for a future city, rather five key prompts - raw insight and ideas for future conversation:
Concept 1: Stir the senses - Approach urban planning and design to embrace youth culture.
Concept 2: God save the Queen - Let’s re-consider how we use Queen St?
Concept 3: Auckland in a single serve - Great cities have iconic symbols and rituals. As a visitor to Auckland, it is unclear what makes Auckland “who it is”.
Concept 4: A place for the next generation - What if the future of Auckland’s city centre was designed by our bright, tolerant, ambitious youth?
Concept 5: Learning in the centre - There is an opportunity for metro schools to exist in the city through the right design innovation and collaboration to create a city that can co-exist with schools.
Presenting this as raw in insight, perspectives and ideas,
required an approach to business communication and publication design that felt
ephemeral, open to interpretation and human-centric.
We unshackled the building industry’s identity from the beloved monochrome palette and rigid typographic approaches, instead opting for a vibrant, contrasting colour palette, heavy and condensed typography, grainy eco-paper stocks and glitchy image formats. We created a grid only to break it, and found inspiration in the grit and energy of Tāmaki Makaurau. The publication feels less slick and corporate than traditional business documentation, showcasing a shift from brand-centric to context specific design.
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We unshackled the building industry’s identity from the beloved monochrome palette and rigid typographic approaches, instead opting for a vibrant, contrasting colour palette, heavy and condensed typography, grainy eco-paper stocks and glitchy image formats. We created a grid only to break it, and found inspiration in the grit and energy of Tāmaki Makaurau. The publication feels less slick and corporate than traditional business documentation, showcasing a shift from brand-centric to context specific design.
Documentary photography by Tim D
The project captures an unfiltered reflection of community. Purchased documentary photography from local artists Tim D, Jono Parker and Cameron McLaren showcases the rich diversity and character of our city through different perspectives. We then shot the publication out on the streets, found and engaged with by local people – the most fulfilling outcome for the project team and a test of resonance within the audience it is created for.
Many of the challenges facing Auckland aren’t unique to the super city, however this project will provide a framework from which to explore similar workshops across Aotearoa, guiding conversations around the development of our major cities.
